Drum roll, please… Meet the winners of the 2011 Golden Quill Awards, which spotlight balanced, well-done publications that meet the needs of their car club while advancing general knowledge of collector cars and their history. We received thousands of entries. See who finished on top...
What it takes to win the Golden Quill

“With costs being what they are to print and mail a club publication, there is a modestly growing trend toward offering newsletters and magazines online,” said Gerald Perschbacher, chief judge for the Old Cars Weekly Golden Quill Award. “Still, the prevailing form is printed, using paper. I suppose part of it is the sensation of holding and seeing actual visuals apart from a computer screen, and part of it is having something of lasting quality.”

Thousands of club publications were submitted during 2011 for the annual contest. The purpose of the competition is to encourage a balanced, well-done publication that meets the needs of its car club while advancing general knowledge of collector cars and their history.

Perschbacher is amazed at the improved quality of layout and design that appeared in national and regional publications last year.

“The quality is definitely being notched up higher with each passing year,” he said. “That’s good news for the hobby, since it means clubs — and owners of old cars — are trying to put their best foot, or best tire, forward.”

In the award competition, categories are divided by size and page count of publications. Use of color and quality of paper also figures in. Some once-grand publications have become less opulent, Perschbacher noted.

“Perhaps some clubs are cutting back during the economic doldrums we are encountering,” Perschbacher added. “Other clubs seem to be pouring more effort into their publication as a lifeline. Outside advertising seems to boost the more sophisticated publications.”

With increased technology comes improved visuals and overall layout. But there are some caveats.

“Compressed photos are appearing with greater regularity... photos that are squeezed or flattened, or visuals that are stretched,” Perschbacher noted. “Cars look distorted and the people sometimes look like reflections in old ‘fun-house’ mirrors from the 1950s. This really is not professionally complimentary,” he said. “Balance is so very important. Car club publications are beacons for members. Articles and photos from members, news that hits most or the entire club, technical articles pertaining to the make of choice, and good language skills plus enticing event calendars gain the most mileage for a publication and club.”

He concludes, “The editor is an important person in a car club. He or she can set a creative and exciting pace for members who use the publication as their lifeline to the rest of the club. It’s clear when a club enjoys its publication. There is a wholesome pride you can sense by reading the blend of articles and enjoying the pictures. Publications that succeed in these factors give members the best of the hobby.”

For clubs to be entered in the 2012 competition, gratis copies of each edition during the year are to be sent to: Editor, OCW, 700 East State, Iola, WI 54990, and Gerald Perschbacher, 8868 Rock Forest Dr., St. Louis, MO 63123-1116. Online publications should be printed and submitted by the club on a regular basis. There is no charge for the competition.

The WINNERS

National Luxury

Air Cooled News, Pierre F. and Susan R. Lavedan, co-editors, H.H. Franklin Club
Antique Automobile, West Peterson, editor in chief, Antique Automobile Club of America
Avanti Magazine, Lewis Schucart, editor, Avanti Owners Association
The Bulb Horn, Anne Morris, editor, The Veteran Motor Car Club of America
The Classic Car, Ron Verschoor, editor, Classic Car Club of America
The Corvette Restorer, Vinnie Peters, editor, National Corvette Restorers Society
Double Clutch, Greg Matecko, editor, Antique Truck Club of America
The Early Bird, Lin Somsak, editor, Classic Thunderbird Club International
Generator & Distributor, Pete Phillips, editor, Vintage Chevrolet Club of America
Horseless Carriage Gazette, John Meyer III, editor, Horseless Carriage Club of America
The Ignitor, John Teel, editor, The Spark Plug Collectors of America
Jaguar Journal, Michael L. Cook, editor, Jaguar Club of North America
LaCad, Terry and Robyn Griffin, editors, Cadillac & LaSalle Club of Australia
LaLuneta, Orlando Bongiardino, director, Club Amigos De Automoviles Antiguos
Lincoln and Continental Comments, Tim Howley, editor, Lincoln and Continental Owners Club
LineChaser, Sandy Felde, editor, Minnesota Street Rod Association
Mercedes-Benz Classic, Hermann Ries and Peter Michaely, editors
Model “A” News, Helen Ehrenhofer, editor, Model “A” Restorers Club
Model A Times, John LaVoy, editor, Model A Times
Model T Times, Steve Hubert, editor, Model T Ford Club International
The Packard Cormorant, Stuart R. Blond, editor, Packard Automobile Classics
Packards International Magazine, Don Hull, editor, Packards International
PCPV News, Paul Bergstrom, editor, Pontiac Commercial & Professional Vehicle Chapter of Pontiac Oakland Club International
Plymouth Bulletin, Lanny D. Knutson, editor, Plymouth Owners Club
Porsche Panorama, Betty Jo Turner, editor, Porsche Club of America
Porsche 356 Registry, Gordon Maltby, editor, Porsche 356 Registry
The Professional Car, Walter M.P. McCall, editor, Professional Car Society
Quicksilver, Todd Haefer, editor, The International Mercury Owners Association
The Restorer, Jim Spawn, editor, Model A Ford Club of America
Sacred Octagon, David Lawley, editor, The New England MG ‘T’ Register, Ltd.
The Self-Starter, Stephen E. Stewart, editor, Cadillac & LaSalle Club
Smoke Signals, Donald J. Keefe, Pontiac Oakland Club International
The Star, Douglas L. Truitt, executive director, Mercedes-Benz Club of America
300 Star Letter, Cyndi Vander Horn, editor, Gull Wing Group International
Turning Wheels, Art Unger/Ann Turner, editors, The Studebaker Drivers Club
V8 Times, Jerry Windle, editor, Early Ford V-8 Club of America
Wheels of Time, Stormy Wylie, editor, American Truck Historical Society
White Triangle News, Sam Jackson, editor, Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Club

National Intermediate

AEV – Action-Era Vehicle, Charles R. Smith, editor, The Contemporary Historical Vehicle Association
American Motoring, Cheryl Samuel and Mike Spangler, editors, The American Motors Owners Association
The Arrow, Roger J. Sherman, editor, Pierce-Arrow Society
At The Sign of the Cat, Kamran Waheed, assistant editor, Cougar Club of America
The Bric Line, John T. Blair, editor, Bricklin International Owners Club
Brute Force, Merle Wolfer, editor, Chrysler 300 Club
Bulletin, Ron Verschoor, editor, Classic Car Club of America
The Cormorant News Bulletin, Craig Handley, editor, The Packard Club
Enjine! Enjine!, Scott Rollins, editor, SPAAMFAA
Healey Marque, Reid Trummel, editor, Austin-Healey Club of America
Journey With Olds, Brad Bishop, editor, Oldsmobile Club of America
The Legend, Tom Szymczyk, editor, GTO Association of America
The NCRS Driveline, Eric Mortimer, editor, National Corvette Restorers
Society, supplement to the Corvette Restorer Magazine
The Nomad Post, John Lee, publications coordinator, Chevrolet Nomad Association
SEMA Action Network, Specialty Equipment Market Association
On Solid Ground, Ken Amrick, editor, Solid Axle Corvette Club
The Riview, Ray Knott, editor, Riviera Owners Association
The Star, Douglas L. Truitt, executive director, Mercedes-Benz Club of America
Stutz News, William J. Greer, editor, The Stutz Club
The Vintage Ford, Jay Klehfoth, editor, Model T Ford Club of America
The Vintage Triumph, Mike Cook, editor, The Vintage Triumph Register
Vintage Voice, Fred Lewis, editor, Oakland Pontiac Worldwide AACA Region
The Way of the Zephyr, David L. Cole, editor, Lincoln-Zephyr Owners Club
Woodie Times, John Lee, editor, The National Woodie Club
WPC NEWS, Richard Bowman, editor, Chrysler Product Restorers Club

National Compact

Airflow Newsletter, Neal Jacquot, editor, Airflow Club of America
American Austin Bantam Club News, Bob and Cathy Cunningham, editors, The American Austin Bantam Club
American Station Wagon Owners Association, Tim Cleary, editor, American Station Wagon Owners Association
Chrysler 300 Club News, Andy Mikonis, editor, Chrysler 300 Club International
Corsa Communique, Mike McGowan, editor, Corvair Society of America
Crosley Quarterly, Fred Syrdal, editor, Crosley Automobile Club
Cross Flags, Jeff Butz, editor, The 1965-’66 Full Size Chevrolet Club
De Soto Adventures, Judith Kidder, editor, National De Soto Club
Durant Partner, Carol Fogarazzo, editor, Durant Motors Automobile Club
’53-’54 Buick Skylark Club, Gary Di Lillo, editor, ’53-’54 Buick Skylark Club
Fomoco Times, Crown Victoria Association
Front Wheel Driver, Steve & Lucy Blakey, editors, Toronado Owners Association
Jeepster News, James J. Sommer, editor, Willys Overland Jeepster Club
Kaiser Frazer Owners Club International Monthly News Bulletin, Barbara Mueller, editor, KFOCI
Long Life, Chuck Hoaglund, editor, The Velie Registry
The Marmon News, Jeff Stumb, editor, The Marmon Club
The National Falcon News, Wendlyn Crosby, editor, Falcon Club of America
News-Flite, Andy Mikonis, editor, Chrysler 300 Club International
1915-1918 Buick & McLaughlin-Buick Owners Newsletter Group, Dean Tryon, editor
North American Singer Owners Club News, Phillip Avis, editor, North American Singer Owners Club
Pur Sang, Tom Clifford, editor, American Bugatti Club
Reo Echo, Butch Pream and Martin Moody, editors, The Reo Club of America
The Rotunda Times, Steve Rohde, editor, Ford and Mercury Restorers Club of America
Runabouts to Rockets, Wendy Crosby, editor, National Antique Oldsmobile Club
The Silver Shell, Jeff Buckley, editor, Moon Car Club
The Starter, John Nikodym, editor, Willys-Overland-Knight Registry
Supercharger, Gary Bossuot, editor, Graham Owners Club International
Talegate, Chuck Snyder, editor, The International Station Wagon Club
TC America, B. Karleen Tarola, president, TC America
Thunder & Lightning, Nathan Olson, editor, Hurst/Olds Club of America
Thunderbird Script, Kathy Holton, editor, International Thunderbird Club
Thunderbird Scoop, Terri McNeill, editor, Vintage Thunderbird Club International
Torque Tube II, Joseph Suarez, editor, 1936-1938 Buick Club
Tucker Topics, Pat Fortin and Bill Pommering, editors, Tucker Automobile Club of America
Viva Carrera!, Bill Culver, editor, The Road Race Lincoln Register
VSA, Jim Bates, editor and publisher, Volvo Sports America/1800 Register
Wheels-n-Waves, Linda Correnti, editor, International Amphicar Owners Club

Museums & Associations

Braking, Lane Motor Museum
Die Cast Collectors Club Newsletter, Diecast Car Collectors Club
Driving Force, Colby Martin, editor, SEMA Action Network, Specialty Equipment Market Association
Foundation Report News, Early Ford V-8 Foundation
Gray Goose News, Terry Ernest, editor, The Wills Museum
The Herald/The Industry Standard, Gilmore Car Museum & The Classic Car Club of America Museum
SAH Journal, Allan G.Y. Meyer, editor, The Society of Automotive Historians
Secrets: The Vintage Speed & Sport Magazine, Charles H. Yapp, editor, Secrets of Speed Society
The Spirit, Dave Pfaff, editor, R.E. Olds Transportation Museum
Stanley Museum Quarterly, H. James Merrick, editor, Stanley Museum
Western Racing Association Newsletter, Laurence Deutsch, editor, Western Racing Association
Wheels, Walter McCall, editor, National Automotive History Collection

Regional Full Size

AM Spirit, Steve Johnston, editor, Northern Ramblers Car Club
“A” Quail Call, Carol Pennington, editor, Penn-Ohio “A” Ford Club
The Beam, Lars and Joan Anderson, Wisconsin Region of AACA
The Bird’s Nest, Don Seymour, editor, New England’s Vintage Thunderbirds
Blue Smoke, Karl Henry, editor, Central Chapter of LZOC
Buicktown Crier, Roberta Vasilow, editor, Buicktown Chapter of Buick Club of America
Country Roads, Ron Althoff and Curtis Easter, editors, Blue Ridge Packards
The Dashboard, Donald S. Wright, Greater Illinois Region - CCCA
The Distributor, Brad Hunsinger, editor, Early Ford V-8 Club of America - Hi Country Regional Group
Driven, Micah McElravy, editor, Northern California Shelby American Automobile Club
Fiero Focus, Michelle and Scott Savage, editors, Northern Illinois Fiero Enthusiast
Got Yer Goat!, John and Linda Lawrence, editors, Classic GTO Association of Denver
Hawkeye Hexagon, Dick Boswell, editor, Hawkeye Packards
Metropolitan Skyline, Craig Handley, editor, Metro Region - CCCA
The Mud Flap, Marty and Neil Sugermeyer, co-editors, Tidewater Region - AACA
Northern Lights, Bob Porter, editor, Ohio Region - CCCA
Northern Lights, Donna Dirnberger, editor, Minnesota Region AACA
The Nuts & Bolts, Anita Kirk, editor, AACA of Cape Canaveral
On Call, Bee Hamlin, editor, The Professional Car Society Mid-Atlantic Chapter
The Packard Panorama, Jim Yocum, editor, Keystone Packards
PMD Excitement, Chuck Catalano, editor, South Jersey Pontiac Chapter, POCI
Porthole, Marge Dahl, editor, Gopher State Chapter of Buick Club of America
Road Chatter, Ken and Carolyn Bounds, editors, Early Ford V-8 Club – Northern Illinois Regional Group #8
Sacred Octagon, Dave Lawley, editor, The New England MG T Register Ltd.
The Superior Times, Brady Smith, editor, Michigan Chapter of the Professional Car Society
The Mud Flap, Marty and Neil Sugermeyer, editors, Tidewater Region of AACA
TMC, Chris and Bob Yates, editors, Tidewater Mopar Club
Torque, Tom Goad, editor, Michigan Region of CCCA
Wheeling the “A”, Sue Qua, editor, The Wisconsin Chapter of Model “A” Ford Club of America

Regional Compact

Arizona Bird Chatter, Barbara Blair, editor, Arizona Classic Thunderbird Club
The Autograf, Jim and Kay Scott, editors, Mississippi Valley Region of AACA
Badger Bullet-N, Ernie Loga, editor, Badger Wheels Chapter of Studebaker Drivers Club
Boomtimes, William C. Anderson, editor, Buick Owners of Maryland
The Brass Lamp, Bill DeVore, editor, Genesee Valley Antique Car Society
Caddie Chronicle, Vince Taliano, editor, Cadillac & LaSalle Club - Potomac Region
Cadillac Past, Chris Milici, editor, New England Region of Cadillac & LaSalle Club
Classic Olds Journal, Mary Degler, editor, Oldsmobile Club of America - Olds Club of Florida Newsletter
Connector, Ed and Chris Gray, editors, Pacific Northwest Region - LCOC
Cormorant Flier, Karl Henry, editor, Wisconsin Packard Club
The Echo, Chris Collins, editor, Grand Canyon State Chapter of Studebaker Drivers Club
Exhaust Valve, Jim Jaeger, editor, Buick Club of America - Fireball Chapter
Frankfort Car Club Newsletter, Doris Bernier, editor, Frankfort Car Club
The GTO Tiger Times, Russ Esenwine, editor, Susquehanna Valley GTO Chapter of GTO Association of America
The Herald, Stephen Page, editor, Cadillac & LaSalle Club - NorthStar Region
Hoosier Views, Bruce and Carol Gable, editors, Indiana Regional Group #56 - Early Ford V-8 Club of America
The Hub Cap, Joyce Edfors, editor, Wisconsin Region of CCCA
Keystone Keynotes, Jeff Sheaffer, editor, Keystone Region Chapter of Studebaker Drivers Club
Mid-Atlantic Mayflower, David B. Young, editor, Mid-Atlantic Region Plymouth Owners Club
Monthly Cruisin’, Patrick Touhey, editor, Mass Cruisers Auto Club
Oregon Clipper, David Charvet, editor, Oregon Region of Packards International Motorcar Club
The Overhead Cammer, Jim Black, editor, Overhead Cammers Chapter POCI
Packardgram, Duane Gunn, editor, Arizona Region Packards International
Pegasus Pages, Wayne Hidson, editor, Minnesota Fieros Forever
Planetary News, Mike Zahorik, editor, Model T Ford Club of Greater Milwaukee
SNIC BRAAAPP, Bob Streepy, editor, Illinois Sports Owners Association
Tiger News, Ken Smith, editor, The Cruisin’ Tigers GTO Club
Vairforce, David McMillan, editor, Bay State Corvairs
Valve Clatter, Ken Burns, editor, Northern Virginia Regional Group, Regional Group 96 of Early Ford V8 Club

Regional Sub Compact

Arc and Spark, John McLellan, editor, Kalamazoo Antique Auto Restorers Club
Bow Tie Bulletin, Ron Panicucci, editor, Jersey Lakeland Region VCCA
Cadillac & LaSalle Club Northwest Ohio Region News, Elden Smith, editor, CLC/NWO Region
Cascade Pacific Plymouth Club, Robin Will, editor, Plymouth Owners Club - Cascade Pacific Plymouth Club
Clutch Chatter, Larry Huffman, editor, Tri-County Region of AACA
East Coast Chapter Newsletter, Dan and Pat Kasten, editors, East Coast Chapter-International Ford Retractable Club
Exhaust Whistle, Robert Hinds, editor, Dixie Region of AACA
Finz, Ron Melville, editor, Cadillac & LaSalle Club of New Zealand
The GMC Times, Paul Bergstrom, editor, GMC Truck Chapter of POCI
Hexagon, Jon Hatfield, editor, Mid-Atlantic Packards
Hexagon News, Bob Zimmerman, Midwest Region, Packard International
High Plains Shifter, Dennis Dalton, editor, National Corvette Restorers Society, Rocky Mountain Chapter
The Hood Scoop, Chris Winslow, editor, Gateway GTO Association
The Hudson Monthly, Lew Bird, editor, North Texas Chapter of HET Club
Let’s Talk Cadillac, John Bauer, editor, West Michigan Cadillac & LaSalle Club
Morris Gazette, Joe Mercer, editor, COMGO
Northstar, David W. Gustafson, editor, Northstar LCOC
Packard Digest, Roger Luksik, editor, Motor City Packards PAC
The Pious Pelican, Bud Juneau, Northern California Packards - PAC
The Pony Express, Jade DeBone, editor, Aloha Mustang and Shelby Club of Hawaii Newsletter
Prix News, Tim Dye and Paul Bergstrom), Grand Prix Chapter - POCI
The Redline Times, Reba Whittington, editor, Carolinas Chapter - NCRS
The Rocket Review Quarterly, Scott Phillips, editor, Capitol City Rockets, Oldsmobile Club of America
The Solenoid, Michael Berckart, editor, Great Autos of Yesteryear
The Solid Scoop, Jim Lundal, editor, Southern California Solid Axle Corvette Club
The Spokesman, Mike Spangler and Cheryl Samuel, editors, The Jefferson Collectibles
The Standard, Kevin Luedtke, editor, Motor City Region, Cadillac & LaSalle Club
The Steering Column, Betty Fisher, editor, The Greater Baltimore Model A Ford Club
The Strato-Vue, Dennis Orczykowski, editor, Rock River Valley Chapter, Studebaker Drivers Club
Three-Pedal Press, Karl Henry, Wisconsin Capital Model T Ford Club, Model T Ford Club of America
The Unibody Bulletin, Mike Spangler and Cheryl Samuel, editors, Mad-City Ramblers

Honorable Mention

Note: Notable club publications and editors listed in Honorable Mention do not receive a Golden Quill Award certificate, but receive the accolades of seeing their work honorably mentioned as contestants in the Golden Quill Award.

Airhorn, Charley Biddle, editor, Chicagoland Corvair Enthusiasts
Bird Talk, Art Fleming, editor, ITC Chapter VTCI Long Island Thunderbird Club
The Dagmar, Wayne Shmitka, editor, Rocky Mountain Region Cadillac & LaSalle Club
The Data Plate, Jeff, Pachl, editor, Mid-America Packards, PAC
The Dipstick, Mitzi LaPaugh, editor, Tidewater MG Classics
Driveshaft, Doug Buhrer, editor, Lambda Car Club International
Fleetwood Flyer, George Bergen, editor, Cadillac & LaSalle Club - St Louis Region
From The Corral, Bill Krieger, editor, Northern Mustang Corral
Good Olds Days, Robert Bezingue, editor, Illinois Valley Olds Chapter
PanSiftings, Ray Maier, editor, St. Cloud Antique Auto Club
Peregrine Press, Phil Barber, editor, Mason Dixon Chapter, FCA
Phantoms News, Arlan Vollan, interim editor, Phantoms Motor/Model Club
Professional Car Collector, Louis C. Farah, editor, Professional Cars International
Puget Sounds, Norm Larabee, editor, Early Ford V-8 Club PSRG #18
Redline Times, Holly Geist, editor, Goat Hers GTO Club of Oregon
Sidelights, Sylvia D. Lauridsen, editor, Illinois Region - AACA
The Skyliner, Edward J. Albracht Jr., editor, International Ford Retractable Club
The Spyder Web, Dee Lynch, editor, North East Wisconsin Corvair Club
The Standard, Kevin Luedtke, editor, Motor City Region - Cadillac & LaSalle Club
Tiger Times, Dick and Sandy Kos, managing editors, Land of Lakes GTO Club
Wide Tracking, Gregory Sereico, editor, GTO Association of Pennsylvania
WOW, Joy and Steve Heidal, editors, Northwest Chapter, W.O.K.R.